Bikers want Strathmore chapter to help kids

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

The wheels are not just turning on the Kawasaki Vulcan bike of a Strathmore resident who hopes to provide security and stability to children and families suffering from abuse by establishing a local Guardians of the Children chapter.
Guardians of the Children (GOC) is a biker organization also dedicated to protecting the victims of child abuse.
The man, whose road name is Chico and who asked that his name be kept private for security reasons, has already helped set up two other chapters in Alberta. Now he is searching for 10 volunteers, who either own or have access to a motorbike, to set up a branch in his hometown.
“Strathmore needs something positive happening … I believe that in every community – it’s sad to say – but there’s abuse,” said Chico. “We want to get that out there that there is some support of kids and families, and we want to help them as much as possible.”
When Chico immigrated to Canada from El Salvador in 1998, the then Grade 4 student became a target for bullying. The experience left a lasting impression on the now 38-year-old who works with special-needs kids, and motivated him to join an organization focused on the betterment of the lives of children. Once his research stumbled on the GOC, it was an automatic fit. By turning Strathmore into the fourth Alberta community to have a chapter, Chico hopes the division will act as a medium to focus on bullying.
“I have a couple neighbours with kids who struggle with bullying, and I take that to heart because I was bullied myself at a young age,” he said. “Being bullied as a kid and having nobody to rely on is hard. There are so many kids out there who keep their mouths shut and suffer. I think having Guardians of the Children in this community will turn that around. Maybe a little bit, maybe a lot. But as long as there is a presence of us there, as long as we care, things can change.”
In the past, members of the organization have provided children with rides to school on their bikes and even set up buddy benches in schools for children when issues arise. The benches provide a space for children to sit down when being bullied or facing a problem that then attracts the attention of staff at school or kids wearing a little guardian patch.
GOC partners with advocacy agencies and victim assistance groups. The organization has chapters established in every province across Canada. The three current chapters in Alberta are located in Red Deer, Edmonton and Wetaskiwin.
Over the years, members of the organization have fundraised for various needs associated with the wellbeing of children, lent their presence and support by accompanying children to court, and organized Christmas parties and rides.
“It really does work, I’ve been to court with a lot of children, and it’s amazing, like night and day, once we get involved with them,” said Clint Goodrich, president of the Wetaskiwin chapter.
“Court can be a terrible thing, it can be really scary for a kid. When we get involved with them and go to court with them, we sit there and they look at us and feel safe. They feel protected. They feel that we’re bigger and scarier than the guys that did this to them. Once they are part of our family, they are our family forever. We never just walk away from them.”
Goodrich recalled a situation where a family faced harassment and, together with 40 members, the bikers camped out on the lawn until the court case was over.
To establish a chapter in Strathmore, the 10 members will have to get their police checks and complete the paperwork the organization requires of its members. After that, the group will then be required to make connections with local shelters, RCMP and advocacy groups.
Those interested in joining or looking for more information can contact Chico at 403-901-0844 or visit guardiansofthechildren.com.